Gavin John

Research student

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Healthcare Sciences. I’m currently researching young people’s social connections during periods of inpatient mental healthcare. I graduated from Cardiff University with a first class honours degree in mental health nursing in 2016 and I have previously worked as a mental health staff nurse in an inpatient CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) setting.

Research interests

My research builds upon the evidence synthesis (Hannigan et al, 2015) which explored the identification, assessment and management of various risks to young people receiving inpatient mental health care. My research is exploring young people’s social connections during periods of inpatient mental healthcare. I am interested in the interventions and processes associated with the ‘less obvious risks’ to children and young people in inpatient CAMHS such as loss of connections to friends, family and education, and whether children and young people manage to maintain these connections.